| 37 | Ecclesiasticus | ||
| 1 | Every friend will say, "I too am a friend"; but some friends are friends only in name. | False friends. Sir.37.1-6 | |
| 2 | Is it not a grief to the death when a companion and friend turns to enmity? | ||
| 3 | O evil imagination, why were you formed to cover the land with deceit? | ||
| 4 | Some companions rejoice in the happiness of a friend, but in time of trouble are against him. | ||
| 5 | Some companions help a friend for their stomach's sake, and in the face of battle take up the shield. | ||
| 6 | Do not forget a friend in your heart, and be not unmindful of him in your wealth. | ||
| 7 | Every counselor praises counsel, but some give counsel in their own interest. | Caution in taking advice. Sir.37.7-15 | |
| 8 | Be wary of a counselor, and learn first what is his interest - for he will take thought for himself - lest he cast the lot against you | ||
| 9 | and tell you, "Your way is good," and then stand aloof to see what will happen to you. | ||
| 10 | Do not consult the one who looks at you suspiciously; hide your counsel from those who are jealous of you. | ||
| 11 | Do not consult with a woman about her rival or with a coward about war, with a merchant about barter or with a buyer about selling, with a grudging man about gratitude or with a merciless man about kindness, with an idler about any work or with a man hired for a year about completing his work, with a lazy servant about a big task - pay no attention to these in any matter of counsel. | ||
| 12 | But stay constantly with a godly man whom you know to be a keeper of the commandments, whose soul is in accord with your soul, and who will sorrow with you if you fail. | ||
| 13 | And establish the counsel of your own heart, for no one is more faithful to you than it is. | ||
| 14 | For a man's soul sometimes keeps him better informed than seven watchmen sitting high on a watchtower. | ||
| 15 | And besides all this pray to the Most High that he may direct your way in truth. | ||
| 16 | Reason is the beginning of every work, and counsel precedes every undertaking. | Wisdom & confidence. Sir.37.16-26 | |
| 17 | As a clue to changes of heart | ||
| 18 | four turns of fortune appear, good and evil, life and death; and it is the tongue that continually rules them. | ||
| 19 | A man may be shrewd and the teacher of many, and yet be unprofitable to himself. | ||
| 20 | A man skilled in words may be hated; he will be destitute of all food, | ||
| 21 | for grace was not given him by the Lord, since he is lacking in all wisdom. | ||
| 22 | A man may be wise to his own advantage, and the fruits of his understanding may be trustworthy on his lips. | ||
| 23 | A wise man will instruct his own people, and the fruits of his understanding will be trustworthy. | ||
| 24 | A wise man will have praise heaped upon him, and all who see him will call him happy. | ||
| 25 | The life of a man is numbered by days, but the days of Israel are without number. | ||
| 26 | He who is wise among his people will inherit confidence, and his name will live for ever. | ||
| 27 | My son, test your soul while you live; see what is bad for it and do not give it that. | Gluttony. Sir.37.27-31 | |
| 28 | For not everything is good for every one, and not every person enjoys everything. | ||
| 29 | Do not have an insatiable appetite for any luxury, and do not give yourself up to food; | ||
| 30 | for overeating brings sickness, and gluttony leads to nausea. | ||
| 31 | Many have died of gluttony, but he who is careful to avoid it prolongs his life. | ||
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